LYNN NORTHROP PUTS UP DECOATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL GRAD NIGHT. T he Mariposa County High School Grizzly Boosters are the “silent heroes of MCHS students, teachers and programs,” according to Principal Celeste Azevedo. Those heroes are looking to the community to continue to back the work they do to support student activities, learning and achievement.

The Grizzly Boosters has been around for nearly three decades. During that time, members have raised money to support just about everything at MCHS. There has been support for every sport, the band and choir. The club helps with technology expenses, transportation and facility needs.

Azevedo said the group is invaluable. “From providing pickme ups like support items for teachers, to the manpower for school activities and athletics, to fund raising,” the boosters are always there. “I have never had a school group approach boosters where they weren’t willing to provide time, support, ideas or funding,” she said.

ANNETTE AND WALT PALMER SHOP AT THE GRIZZLY BOOSTERS CLOTHING BOOTH AT A HOME FOOTBALL GAME. THE SALES HELP SUPPORT THE BOOSTERS’ MISSION AND KEEP EVERYONE IN GREEN AND GOLD. Member Lynn Northrop said the group supports “anything that helps our students and faculty have a better quality experience” at MCHS.

Azevedo agrees. “Their members work tirelessly and are hidden from the public eye with the sole purpose of providing students the best educational experience possible,” she said. “Our school and our programs would not be as successful as they are without the continued support Grizzly Boosters provides.”

Now the group is looking for a little more support for its causes.

Grizzly Boosters and the Associated Student Body (ASB) are funded separately. For example, funds paid for entrance to home games goes to ASB to pay for activities like dances, rallies, teacher needs and learning experiences. Those funds also pay for officials at home games, a figure that can top $30,000 a year.

GRIZZLY BOOSTERS’ MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR TALLY ALLISON (FOREGROUND) AND PRESIDENT JEANE CASNER GET PARENTS SIGNED-UP FOR THE YEAR SO THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MANY DISCOUNTS OFFERED WITH MEMBERSHIP. This year, ASB has seen a drastic decrease in gate receipts because of poor attendance at games. Also, fewer students have purchased ASB cards, leaving the students with less funding for activities and improvements. ASB funds are monitored by the school site administrators.

Since ASB funds have dwindled this year, Grizzly Boosters are expected to be called on for more support. The problem, however, is that fewer people purchased Grizzly Booster memberships this year, leaving the backers with less to give.

No one is really sure why there is less support for the boosters this year, but the state of the economy is a likely factor. Booster members point out that the cost of membership pays for itself in discounts.

For example, a $25 family membership saves each member $1 off the cost of admission to any game. If the family attends just seven events throughout the year, the family has made up the cost of the membership.

A $150 lifetime membership can do the same thing over the course of a child’s four years at MCHS. If the membership is purchased when the child is a freshman, just a couple of events a year make up the cost, because all lifetime members are admitted free to games, except CIF sanctioned playoffs.

It’s not just membership that keeps the Grizzly Boosters going, though. Members man the booth that sells hats, sweatshirts, lanyards and other Grizzly gear. The Grizzly Grill at home football games, and most recently at the Mariposa Youth Football Superbowl, generates thousands of dollars for booster programs each year.

At each home football game, the boosters run the Green and Gold raffle. Ticket proceeds are split between the winner and the team or club benefitting on that night. This year, the boosters are going to try to expand the raffle to basketball games, too.

Grizzly Boosters have a strict procedure for administering funds. All expenditures are voted on at each meeting, which occur the first Monday of each month at MCHS. There is a treasurer’s report available at each meeting, as well, and all financial decisions are made by vote.

Members want parents and the community to know that becoming a part of Grizzly Boosters does not mean committing volunteer time, if the person chooses not to. “Your dollar contribution is enough,” Northrop said.

Those dollars really come into play when the end of the year rolls around. One of the biggest events that Grizzly Boosters sponsors is the annual Sober Grad Night at the fairgrounds. The party provides all-night food, entertainment and incredible prizes to graduating seniors and a guest.

Anyone interested in Grizzly Booster membership can contact Membership Coordinator Tally Allison at 966-4033. Other booster officers include President Jeanne Casner, Vice President and Sober Grad Coordinator Kim Murdock, Treasurer Becky Robinson, and Secretary Lori Ritter.